An unusual case of fatal Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection

A 13-month-old male Yorkshire terrier from Modena (Northern Italy) was submitted to physical examination because of coughing, diarrhea and progressive weight loss, which worsened in the last week of life. Depression and dyspnea were noted on clinical examination. Radiography of the thorax indicated interstitial involvement of the diaphragmatic lobe of the right lung and ultrasound of the abdomen showed a diffuse thickening of the small intestine wall. Blood chemistry was indicative of pan-hypoproteinaemia and low folate and fecal examination revealed numerous Strongyloides stercoralis rhabditiform and vital larvae. The subject died after two days and the anatomo-histopathological and parasitological exams confirmed the morphological features of adult S. stercoralis (a well-known agent of zoonosis). This is the first reported case of Strongyloides in Italy in the dog.